Airtel says it's improving network, seeks 'full footprint' in spectrum

Telecom company announced a net profit of Rs 854 crore, after six quarters, this week

Bharti Airtel is strengthening its telecom network as it prepares for the government’s auction of airwaves in March, said the company’s managing director and chief executive officer on Thursday.

“We would love to have a full footprint of sub gigahertz spectrum in the country…would look at capacity (expanding spectrum portfolio) and renewal (of licenses) in the upcoming auctions,” said Gopal Vittal, in the company’s post-earnings call.

The government has offered 2,251 megahertz (MHz) airwaves in the auction and hopes to fetch Rs 3.92 trillion. The coveted 5G spectrum has been kept out. The last spectrum auction was held in October